308/328 Original Interior "Survivor" Methods | FerrariChat

308/328 Original Interior "Survivor" Methods

Discussion in '308/328' started by AHudson, Mar 31, 2009.

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  1. AHudson

    AHudson F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 7, 2005
    2,780
    Florida
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    Adams Hudson
    I bought an 87 328 GTS before Christmas, black with tan car, 42k nicely kept miles. The interior leather had been redyed - every panel, console, seats, you name it - in a somewhat Band-Aid version of tan. Perfect if you want to play camo driving naked, but otherwise, very 'wrong' in the car.

    Likewise, the carpets had faded 42 different shades of tan, brown, yellowish, and something unmentionable from a dog color.

    Looked at many sources and resources, considered yanking and replacing all anew. However, the material itself, save for a few edges, was in fine shape. Decided to go the heavy labor route, see what would happen with a "reclamation" effort. (Can a Ferrari owner be 'green'? Discuss.)

    Had the interior pulled. All of it is in my little hobby shop. Contacted Leatherique, who assured me this could be done if patient. Ordered the stuff from them and got started.

    Man, what a job. If there's interest, I'll be glad to photo essay/instructions. Didn't do photos til it dawned on me others MIGHT be interested.

    So far, I've cleaned all the carpet with Woolite bath and air dry. Nasty like you can't believe but color faded hardly changed. Redye required.

    Took driver's seat to bits, panels apart. Have stripped the MASSIVE amounts of 'incorrect' tan dye off all but the passenger seat. Color diff is staggering. I've done no leather redye as of yet. (Some intructions in the Leatherique material confusing, but a call to them corrected that.)

    Leather is stiff, but untorn. The stripped seat is FAR more supple than the heavily and improperly redyed one (why do people do this?) since the fibers can now 'give'. Do you guys want this process journaled? Has it been done already to your satisfaction? Just checking before I bore the masses to tears.
     
  2. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
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    Mike 996
    More information is always a good thing! If someone doesn't care to read it, they don't have to. Post every detail that you can!
     
  3. Jeff328

    Jeff328 Formula 3
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    Sep 5, 2006
    2,293
    WI
    Please post pictures and all the gory details! I am very interested in hearing how it goes.
     
  4. captglen

    captglen Formula 3
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    Nov 25, 2007
    1,790
    West Palm Beach, Fl
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    Glenn L.
    I would love pictures and instructions as my tan leather seats need a make over.
    Thanks
    Captglen
     
  5. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,578
    Gates Mills, Ohio
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    Jon
    I've never seen a re-dyed 308/328 interior that I thought looked better than OK. I would be interested in seeing how it comes out along the stitching and seams.
     
  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    36,819
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
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    Brian Crall
    Since you have the carpets out already you should consider getting a carpet kit. It will make a big difference. GAHH sells very good kits.
     
  7. Neonzapper

    Neonzapper F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2008
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    Mykol
    Pictures are always welcome on F-chat. We live for them :)
     
  8. rivee

    rivee F1 Rookie

    Jan 20, 2002
    3,731
    Nowhere important, USA
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    John
    #8 rivee, Apr 1, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I re-died my 348 seats last fall using Leatherique's method.

    First I pulled the seats and disasembled the entire seats, including the backs from the bottom of the seat. Then using their prep along with some 400 grit sandpaper, removed all the old tan color dye. That took many nights after work to do, and got the seats soaked, but is accurately recommended by Leatherique. After letting them dry for a couple of days in my heated garage, and receiving the right color from L-que, used my automobile spray gun to re-dye the tan color.

    After spraying many light coats, let them dry without touching the seats (very important). After 48 hours, I used 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper (use dry) to run over them to get any overspray or minor roughness out. Then used some carnuba wax to finish them off and I'll tell you what. I dare anyone to say they don't look just about as good as factory.
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  9. cmt6891

    cmt6891 Formula 3

    Feb 25, 2008
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    Encino, Ca
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    Carl T
    #9 cmt6891, Apr 1, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My QV's interior recently endured the full treatment with Leatherique, including a light "wash technique" dye application being especially careful around the seams and stiching so that not to soak the threads. The 308 leather has a pebble grain and the peaks of the texture had most of the original dye rubbed off in the usual sections of the drivers seat. Being the perfectionist I decided to do both seats, center console and door panel. so that it wouls all match I must say after removing the top lacquer coat the leather became as soft as kidskin. There have been many threads regarding Leatherique, both good, bad and indifferent but the results I experienced are outstanding. Follow the instructions to the letter, the prep work is 90% of the time put into the process.
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  10. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    Vintage Ferrari owners are in two camps...those who have already Leatheriqued their interior and those who still need to.

    I'm quite happy with my Leatheriquing outcome and don't think there's much to discuss. Spending most time on prep. Follow their instructions to the letter. Pictures or detailed procedures would NOT have helped me.
     
  11. jeffQV

    jeffQV F1 Rookie

    Feb 13, 2004
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  12. 328Nero

    328Nero Karting

    May 14, 2007
    193
    Houston, Texas
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    The Dude
    #12 328Nero, Apr 1, 2009
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2009
    I am a little biased since I miss the car (it used to be mine) but I would love to see some pictures! Glad to hear that you are getting her back to prestine shape again...good luck. Send us some pics!

    Its been a while since I last posted...I just noticed I need to change my avatar, thats not my car anymore...its AHudson's.
     
  13. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
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    Dec 28, 2003
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    Actually you forgot the third and fourth camps.......those whose interiors are too far gone to save and those who have replaced the whole thing that was too far gone to save!
     
  14. AHudson

    AHudson F1 Rookie
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    Well, it looks like I'll be posting some pictures, some how to's and likely a few "DON'T EVER DO THIS BONEHEAD THING I JUST DID" also. Will be glad to do this as time allows; patience and lowering your standards of acceptable literature required.

    Michael, you're still the spiritual owner so keep that Avatar long as you like! BigTex uses a photo of Courtney Cox, and she ain't his either! Glad to hear from you. Much work ongoing, all of it rewarding. A super car.

    Good one, I think you're exactly right. Maybe even a 5th camp: "I've deferred so much other maintenance I don't care any more. Wait - was that piston shrapnel that just came out my exhaust pipe?"

    Anyone else with interior experiences, stay on these posts and pitch in.
     
  15. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    Feb 1, 2005
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    #15 nathandarby67, Apr 1, 2009
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2009
    Yes!! Pictures please!

    My interior looks great for the most part, but it is the usual re-dye job and not as soft as I would like. Also not quite the original color of crema. Plus the drivers seat is starting to show a little wear on the dye job. So instead of just leatheriquing the drivers seat, I plan to do the whole interior. As the threads in the stitching have already been dyed by the previous job, what are the thoughts on how it will respond to the leatherique process and subsequent re-dye using leatherique products?

    I have considered having the panels taken apart and re-stitched using new thread, possibly in a contrasting color like some of the newer cars. Has anyone ever had this done? I figure cost will probably not be too bad if I do all the leatherique and dye work myself and have the upholstery shop do just the sewing.
     
  16. 328Nero

    328Nero Karting

    May 14, 2007
    193
    Houston, Texas
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    The Dude
    I know you have probably been busy but...where are the pictures? You have me sitting on the edge of my seet and my legs are starting to fall asleep.

    Post em when you can, enquiring minds want to know...
     
  17. JAYF

    JAYF Formula 3

    May 13, 2006
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    Jay
    My only argument with redying the interior is the stitching is what gives it away. I want to redye my seats but cant stand the stiching being turned from white to tan and have not figured out how to blend it in, other than that, some of the jobs that have been posted look really nice.
     
  18. JAYF

    JAYF Formula 3

    May 13, 2006
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    Jay
    I would be interested to know this as well
     
  19. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 26, 2005
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    Jon
    +1
     
  20. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    #20 BigTex, Apr 13, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

    Ahem.....it's ACTUALLY Renata Vaculcikova....R.I.P.

    I don't think Valeria sent those pictures back to me.......no matter....
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  21. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    At the end of the day there is no salvaging the thirty year old material, my trim shops are even picky about the AGE of the leather and vinyl they use..

    Technically they are correct, it starts aging the day it comes out of the mill/off of the cow.........
     
  22. AHudson

    AHudson F1 Rookie
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    #22 AHudson, Apr 13, 2009
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2009
    Sorry for the delay. Our part of the world has been in a flood/tornado watch of late. Am heading to the lake today to see how beat up our house is. ANYWAY...

    The stitching debate is a good one. I know exactly how 'fake' that monochrome leather and stitching look together, especially with the heavy handed dousing of color that fills in the details. Ive cleaned the stitching mightily, and am experimenting now with two approaches to the colorant.

    1. "Wiping" technique - My tans are fairly close from the sanded tan to the correct recolored tan. So I put the new color one the leather, stitching included, then 'wipe' the surface of the stitching with a clean paper towel quickly removing the colorant. It leaves the thread looking like thread instead of embossed plastic.

    2. "Wax" technique - I took a light neutral crayon and went atop the stitching. When I apply color, the wax repels the color, sending it to the sides. If I get too heavy with color, I can always revert to wiping a little off. This has worked too, but more time consuming with minimal improvement over #1.

    Either way, my goal is to avoid that painted look too. By the way, I picked up my console from the tech this weekend. Wow, what a job getting all that stuff out. It was way over dyed. We'll see how it turns out!
     
  23. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,578
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    What he said.

    Fortuntely, they still make cows.
     
  24. CliffBeer

    CliffBeer Formula 3

    Apr 3, 2005
    2,198
    Seattle, Washington
    Full Name:
    Cliff
    Seems like a lot of work (the leatherique technique) but well worth it obviously! I think my seats are too far gone - there aren't any tears, however, the leather is so shrunken up and tight that the leather looks a size 12 woman wearing a pair of size 4 hotpants. I think that I'm probably stuck with recovering the seats. Has anyone tried the kit from World Upholstery? GAHH? I'm pretty good with this stuff and have done many 911 seats in leather and have the tools (hot rings, hog ring pliers, etc.).

    The World Upholstery price is about $2,500 for the pair and GAHH is about $2,100 for the pair.
     
  25. oliv928

    oliv928 Karting

    Aug 14, 2008
    171
    France, Toulouse
    I mark the thread coz I am on the process too. Didnt use leatherique yet but some prodcuts found here in france. I should come later on the subject.
     

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